Paradise's Maehl held out of Monday's OTA session

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles were back in action this week for Offseason Training Activities (OTA), without the services of Paradise High product and ex-Oregon star wide receiver Jeff Maehl.

The former Bobcat was held out of practice on Monday for an undisclosed reason. Maehl, a 6-foot, 184-pound second-year Eagles wide out, will battle draft picks Josh Huff and Jordan Matthews, as well as Brad Smith, Damaris Johnson, B.J. Cunningham, Will Murphy, Ifeanyi Momah, Kadron Boone and Quron Pratt for a roster spot this year.

Maehl, 25 and 2007 Paradise grad, made four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown — stats that ranked him 337th in the NFL in 2013. Another new face this week is a player who has been around Philly for a while, yet was hurt last year.

Jeremy Maclin looks to make the roster less than a year after surgery on his right knee. The Eagles veteran suffered some bumps and bruises in his return, while at one point hitting the ground clutching his left knee on Monday.

The good news is Maclin gathered himself and left the field on his own power, saying "I'm OK" and "I'm good," references to his health, not the way he's readjusting to the position.

Maclin was back on the practice field Tuesday. It's likely that Maehl won't be competing for time with Maclin, as the Eagles team website has divided the receiving corps into two groups.

The first four include Maclin, Riley Cooper, Matthews and Huff. Maehl appears to be in the second group with a pair of returners who played sparingly in 2013.

Maehl caught twice as many passes as Smith and Johnson as a backup last year. Now he hopes to work his way more into coach Chip Kelly's offense when preseason gets underway Aug. 8 in Chicago. Maehl and the Eagles will be in NorCal once this season at the 49ers new home in Santa Clara on Sept. 28.

A four-year letterman under Kelly at Oregon, Maehl tied the school record for career touchdown receptions (24), while leading the Ducks in receptions (77) and receiving yardage (1,076) as a senior.

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The most impressive wide receiver at practice Monday was Matthews, who looks like a force to be reckoned with playing in the slot. At this early stage it's easy to visualize the 6-2 Matthews as the mismatch the Eagles are waiting to spring on the opposition.

The Eagles traded up in the second round to get Matthews. He may not technically be a starter, but Matthews could be the primary slot receiver, which is a key role in today's NFL. On some teams that player is a starter.

Huff was the team's third-round pick. The Eagles' top three receivers were productive in 2013, but things fell off dramatically after that. The next three guys — Johnson, Maehl and Smith — totaled eight catches for the season. Huff isn't a typical No. 4 receiver, though. He comes in as a high pick. He knows the offense from having played for Kelly at Oregon. Yes, there are differences, but the core should be very similar. Huff is a mystery man. The key for Huff is to shine when he does get chances. That will force the coaches to find a way to mix him in. I do think Huff can be a terrific slot receiver in the NFL.